Collapsible picnic table



June 16, 1964 v. A. SMITH 3,137,522

COLLAPSIBLE PICNIC TABLE Filed July 13, 1962 r 4 i 64 I6 x 68 INVENTOR 66 70 l ERNE ,4. SMITH BY W F U/L o/v 527715 & CRfl/G United States Patent 3,137,522 COLLAPSIBLE lPiCNHC v'IAlElL-E Verne A. Smith, 14853 'Washhurn, Detroit 3%, Mich. Filed July13, 1962, Ser. No. 209,699 6 Claims. (Cl. 297-159) The present invention relates to a collapsible picnic table, and more particularly to a table construction which is-easily erected for summer use and which may be disassembled to form a compact, space-saving unit for winter storage.

Outdoor barbecues and picnics have become increasingly popular in recent years. The backyard, cottage or publicpicnicking area form pleasant locales for such out- -door events. ,A desirable table construction for picnicking is onethat is sturdy and weather-resistant to withstand the elements, and yet is capable of being dismantled for storage or transportation. The standard picnic table is a permanent construction. Because of its large size it cannotconveniently be stored in the basement or garage during the winter. Additionally, it is not transportable from place to place in the family car. The present invention provides apicnic table which is of sturdy construction and appealing to the eye and is also readily disassembled for winter storage or for transportation in a vehicle.

It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible picnic table construction.

r Another object of the invention is to provide a table 'constructionhaving a tripod-like leg structure which may "be readily collapsed but which, when assembled with the other elements of the table, formsa stable support.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a'tripod- 'like'leg construction which cooperates with a table top and bench' structure to form a complete table, the tripod being openabletodiiferent positions to permit the table top and bench structure to be positioned at different horizontal levels to exactly accommodate the persons who are to use'thetable.

A"further object of the invention is to provide a key -or.locking element for the tripod-like construction, the key'being-effective to secure-the tripod in different open positions.

'A still further object of the invention is to provide a bench structure having seating elements which are releasably secured together, the bench structure being capable of disassembly for storage or transportation purposes.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had -to the accompanying-drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the collapsible picnic table of the present invention assembled and readyfor use;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged-perspective view of the-upper end of the tripod leg construction ofthe tablelof FIGURE 1 showing the structure for pivotally securing the legs together and the key for locking the tripod structure in open position;

FIGURE 3 .is a sectional view of a portion of the table top showing one-of the table legs-extending through an opening therein;

FIGURE 4-is -a-top plan-view of one corner of the bench structure illustrating the means for attaching the seating elements together; and

FIGURE 5 is asectional view of a portion of the locking key showing means for holding the key relative to the table legs.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited inits application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated int he accompanying drawings, since. the invention is capable of otherembodiments and-of being practiced or carried out in various ways. .Also, it isto be understood that the phraseology or terminologyemployed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referringto FIGURE 1, it will beseen that the table 10 comprises-a tripod structure 12, a table top'14, a bench structure 16, and a locking member 18. 'These elements are preferably fabricated from wood. ,In describing'the table construction, a three-legged tripod will be referred 'to. However, it should be appreciatedthat within the scope of the invention more than three' legs may be utilized if desired.

The tripod .12includes three legs 20,22, 24 which are pivotally securedtogetherat their upper ends to permit pivotingthereof with respect to each other. 'The leg-attaching structure isbest seen in FIGURE 2. As will be noted, each leg has a split ring .26 attached to the upper end thereof. The ring 26 may bepress-fitted or secured by screws to the leg. The ring 26'has a flange 28 with an opening 30therein. A ring 32 extends .through the opening 30 of each flange .28 to thereby'securethe legs together. As will be appreciated,'the'legs may-bepivoted on the ring 32 to assume the desired angular position with respect to each other.

The table top 14 is triangularly shaped and has an opening 34 in each corner thereof for the reception of one of the legs 20, 22, 24. As shown in FIGURE 3, the openings 34 have a-larger diameter than the diametertof the legs to thus permit the legs *to extend through the openings at an acute angle to theplane of the top 14. The upper edge 36 and lower edge 38 of the opening '34'bite into the angularly inclined leg 20. Downward or upward pressure on the table top is thus not effective to move the top upwardly or downwardly. The table 'top is thus retained in any desired horizontal position, such as the position illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The bench structure 16 comprises three seating elements 40, 42, 44. As shown in FIGURE 4, theseelements are secured together at their ends by hinges 46 to form a triangular construction. The hinge 46 is similar to a conventional door hinge, having elements48,"50-each of which is secured'by screws 41, 43 to'one of the seating elements '40, .42 at the end thereof. I The elements 48, '50 have 'dovetailing ring elements 52, 54 to receive a pin '56. The pin 56 is removable when it is desired to disassemble the bench structure 16.

The bench structure 16 is positioned as shown in FIG- URE 1 with the hinges 46 facing upwardly. In this manner the mitered ends of the seating element are pivoted into abutment and form a relatively rigid structure which is capable of supporting the weight of persons sitting thereon.

Thetripod 12 is fixed in the desired open position by means of the locking member 18, as best illustrated in FIGURE 2. The locking member 18 has a triangular configuration similar to the table top 14, but is, of course, much smaller. Three openings 58 are provided in the corners of the member 18 for reception of the legs 20, 22, 24. The openings 58 are of larger diameter than the diameter of the legs'so that the legs can be inclined at an acute angle to the plane of the member 18. The locking member 18 is received on the lower ends of the legs when the tripod is completely collapsed, and with the table top 14 and bench structure '16 being removed therefrom. The locking member 18 grips the legs 20, 22, 24 and will maintain the tripod 12 in any desired open position. The table top 14 and bench structure 16 also act to hold the tripod in the desired open position. However, it has been found that the table construction is more stable when the locking member 18 is utilized.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the locking member 18 is held in place by means of a shoe 64 which frictionally engages the leg 20. The shoe 64 is positioned in the opening 58 and is driven into engagement with leg 26 by a thumbscreW 66 having a ball and socket connection 68 therewith. The thumbscrew 65 is threadingly received in an internally threaded sleeve 7%) which is. press fitted in an opening provided in the locking member 13.

In assembling the table, the locking member 18 is first received on the legs 29, 22, 24. The member 18 is moved up the legs a sutficient distance to open the tripod for the reception of the table top 14- Which is then inserted on the legs. The member 18 and table top 14 are then moved upwardly on the tripod legs until the desired pyramidshaped configuration of the tripod is achieved. The thumbscrew 66 is then tightened to lock the assembly in this position. As will be appreciated, the Wider the tripod base, the higher the table top will be positioned. The table top is preferably positioned at a higher level if the table construction is to be utilized by adults and at a lower level if the table is to be utilized by children. After the locking member 18 and table top 14 have been positioned, the bench structure 16 is assembled in place around the tripod. This completes assembly of the table. The table may be disassembled in the same manner for storage or transportation.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A collapsible picnic table comprising at least three legs, means pivotally securing said legs together at one end thereof; a table top having spaced apart openings therethrough, one of said openings being provided for each of the legs, said table top being removably received on the legs intermediate the ends thereof with the legs extending through said openings to form a pyramid-shaped structure, and a removable bench structure surrounding and engaging the legs beneath the table top, said bench structure comprising a plurality of elongated seating elements joined together at their ends in a configuration concentric with the base of the pyramid-shaped structure.

2. A collapsible picnic table comprising at least three legs, means pivotally securing said legs together at one end thereof, a table top having spaced apart openings therethrough, one of said openings being provided for each of the legs, said table top being removably received on the legs intermediate the ends thereof With the legs extending through said openings to form'a pyramid-shaped structure, a locking member of smaller area than the table top, said locking member having spaced apart openings therethrough, one of said locking member openings being provided for each of the legs, said locking member being removably received on the legs adjacent to the pivotally secured ends thereof with the legs extending through the locking member opening, said locking member acting to hold the legs in the aforementioned pyramid-shape, and a removable bench structure surrounding and engaging the legs beneath the table top, said bench structure comprising a plurality of elongated seating elements joined together at their ends in a configuration concentric with the base of the pyramid-shaped structure.

3. A collapsible picnic table comprising at least three legs, means pivotally securing said legs together at one end thereof, a table top having spaced apart openings therethrough of larger diameter than the diameter of the legs, one of said openings being provided for each of the legs, said table top being removably received on the legs intermediate the ends thereof with the legs extending through said openings at an acute angle to the plane of the table top to form a pyramid-shaped structure, and a removable bench structure surrounding and engaging the legs beneath the table top, said bench structure comprising a plurality of elongated seating elements joined together at their ends in a configuration concentric With the base of the pyramid-shaped structure.

4. A collapsible picnic table comprising three or more legs, means pivotally securing said legs together at one end thereof, a table top having spaced apart openings therethrough of larger diameter than the diameter of the legs, one of said openings being provided for each of the legs, said table top being removably received on the legs intermediate the ends thereof with the legs extending through said openings at an acute angle to the plane of the table top to form a pyramid-shaped structure, a locking member of smaller area than the table top, said locking member having spacedapart openings .therethrough of larger diameter than the diameter of the legs, one of said locking member openings being provided for each of the legs, said locking member being removably received on the legs adjacent to the pivotally secured ends thereof with the legs extending through the locking member openings at an acute angle to the plane of the locking member, said locking member acting to hold the legs in the aforementioned pyramid-shape, and a removable bench structure surrounding and engaging the legs beneath the table top, said bench structure comprising a plurality of elongated seating elements joined together at their ends in a configuration concentric with the base of the pyramidshaped structure.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 and further characterized in the provision of hinge means detachably securing the seating elementstogether at their ends, said hinge means comprising a hinge element on each end of each seating element, and a pin detachably securing adjacent hinge elements together.

6. A collapsible picnic table comprising three or more legs, means pivotally securing said legs together at one end thereof, a table top having spaced apart openings therethrough of larger diameter than the diameter of the legs, one of said openings being provided for each of the legs, said openings being provided adjacent the outer periphery of the table top and being spaced apart at equal intervals, said table top being removably received on the legs intermediate the ends thereof with the legs extending through said openings at an acute angle to the plane of the table top to form a pyramid-shaped structure, a locking member of smaller area than the table top, said locking member having spaced apart openings therethrough of larger diameter than the diameter of the legs, one of said locking member openings being provided for each of the legs, said locking member being removably received on the legs adjacent to the pivotally secured ends thereof with the legs extending through the locking member openings at an acute angle to the plane of the locking member, said locking member acting to hold the legs in the aforementioned pyramid-shape, and a removable bench structure surrounding and engaging the legs beneath the table top, said bench structure comprising a plurality of elongated seating elements joined together at their ends in a configuration concentric with the base of the pyramid-shaped structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS i to 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE PICNIC TABLE COMPRISING AT LEAST THREE LEGS, MEANS PIVOTALLY SECURING SAID LEGS TOGETHER AT ONE END THEREOF; A TABLE TOP HAVING SPACED APART OPENINGS THERETHROUGH, ONE OF SAID OPENINGS BEING PROVIDED FOR EACH OF THE LEGS, SAID TABLE TOP BEING REMOVABLY RECEIVED ON THE LEGS INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF WITH THE LEGS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID OPENINGS TO FORM A PYRAMID-SHAPED STRUCTURE, AND A REMOVABLE BENCH STRUCTURE SURROUNDING AND ENGAGING THE LEGS BENEATH THE TABLE TOP, SAID BENCH STRUC- 